Cincinnati (18-4, 6-3 Big East) was up 48-28 5 minutes into the
second half only to allow the Pirates (13-9, 2-7) to get within
four points twice. The Bearcats, who entered the game 14th in the
15-team conference in free throw shooting at 64.9 percent, finished
21 of 27 (77.8 percent) from the line, including making eight of
their last nine in the game.

''I thought we should have got to the line more but that's life
on the road in this league,'' said Cronin, who has a 200-116 record
in 10 seasons as a head coach, 131-92 in seven seasons with the
Bearcats.

Kilpatrick said the free throw shooting is getting better.

''Free throws are always big in close games and this conference
is all about close games,'' said Kilpatrick who was 8 of 19 from
the field and 5 of 15 from beyond the arc.

''Coach always tells me to keep shooting and I do and against a
zone like they play there will be a lot of wide-open 3-pointers and
we have a lot of guys who can make that shot.''

Fuquan Edwin and Brandon Mobley both had 16 points for Seton
Hall, which has lost three straight and seven of eight.

The big deficit early in the second half has been a problem for
Seton Hall all season.

''We've talked about it a lot,'' Pirates coach Kevin Willard
said. ''First, it's really been our biggest issue. We're just not
coming out hard at the second half. It's not just one guy. It's
everybody. It's something we have to take care of.

''I think they just have to learn,'' Willard added. ''No matter
what lineup starts they come out a little flat.''

Wright made all seven of his free throws and JaQuon Parker was 6
of 8 to lead the Bearcats.

The Bearcats scored the first 15 points of the second half - a
run that had Willard call two timeouts in the opening 2:30.
Kilpatricks's second 3 of the run - after he started 2 for 7 from
beyond the arc - made it 48-28 with 15:02 left in the half.

Cincinnati had closed the first half on a 14-5 run and Wright
had eight points, a 3-pointer, a traditional three-point play and
two free throws.

Seton Hall took advantage of an offensive dry spell by the
Bearcats to get as close as four points twice.

''In this league you're in always happy to get the `W,''' Cronin
said. ''The great comeback from Seton Hall didn't surprise me, I
expected it. We got the big lead too soon. I knew we would cool off
eventually. I have veterans. Kevin doesn't.''

Edwin made four straight free throws to cap a 17-2 run that made
it 52-48 with 6:46 to play. Cincinnati had one field goal over a
span of 13:28 - including missing 12 straight shots. The Pirates
got to 56-52 with 3:12 to go on a 3-pointer by Mobley. But the
Bearcats kept making their free throws to keep the Pirates at
bay.

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